Finding solutions to prevent infusion therapy errors represents a pressing patient safety priority. Educators have routinely used infusion pumps with simulated IV fluids to teach students best practices for medication administration. In this blog, we will look at how simulation can be used to help students identify potential medication errors prior to administration. 

Simulation to increase medication error identification

Simulation scenarios allow students to master skills by working through challenging situations without putting patients at risk. Recent studies suggest that they can also be used to help nursing students identify and prevent medication errors. Breitkreuz et al. (2016) found that scenarios with embedded errors made students more aware of the devastating consequences for patients. Students subsequently took additional caution when administering medications to avoid similar errors. Kuo et al (2020) also found that students were more likely to speak up about medication errors following problem-based scenarios and simulation training. This is an essential skill for novice nurses to develop a culture of safety in healthcare settings. 

Using SimRx IV fluids for medication error simulations

A wide variety of isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic crystalloid IV solutions are used regularly for patient care. Even though their labels look similar, they have very different effects and definitely are not interchangeable. Simulation scenarios with embedded errors can be used to help students distinguish between various types of IV fluids. Educators can place patient labels on the wrong type of IV bag or have the incorrect solution hanging on the patient’s IV pole. Students would then be expected to identify these errors, notify the charge nurse, and complete the required paperwork. SimRx simulated IV fluids are ideal for these types of scenarios because they are available in a wide variety of crystalloid solutions, including:

5% Dextrose

5% Dextrose/0.9% Saline/10 KCl

0.45% Saline

5% Dextrose/0.45% Saline

5% Dextrose/0.9% Saline/20 KCl

0.25% Saline

5% Dextrose/Lactated Ringer’s

5% Dextrose/0.9% Saline

0.9% Saline

5% Dextrose/0.45% Saline/10 KCl

0.45% Saline/10 KCl Lactated Ringer’s

5% Dextrose/0.45% Saline/20 KCl

0.45% Saline/20 KCl

10% Dextrose 

Final Thoughts

Nurses are the last line of defense to protect patients from dangerous medication errors. Simulation scenarios with embedded errors can help students become more aware of how easily small mistakes can lead to grave outcomes. The experience of identifying and correcting errors sets the stage for students to protect patients in the clinical setting. Students can also be emboldened to raise concerns as needed to promote patient safety. DiaMedical USA is committed to improving the quality of healthcare training with innovative teaching tools like SimRx simulated IV fluids. SimRx IV bags have realistic labeling and are filled with distilled water so they are safe for use with all types of patient manikins. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com